Seven Devils and a Rose

Book 2: Seven Devils and a Rose - Chapter 99

Unsurprisingly, I found that I was nervous as we headed toward the north wing of the palace. So much so, in fact, that my hands were shaking.

Why? I was only going to see the seven lords, wasn't I?

To be interrogated and...

Shit!

I clutched at the skirt of the gown and told myself to take deep, slow breaths to calm down. They weren't going to eat me, for God's sake, just ask me questions.

Yet the thought of telling them that I wasn't a part of this realm, that I had travelled from another world, just kind of made my head spin.

How would they react to my revelation? After all, my last one, which was exposing my true gender, had turned into a disaster that nearly brought the city down.

I felt Aria's hand enveloping mine. I turned my eyes to her and saw her giving me a smile to ease my nervousness.

I returned a small grin, and then we four entered the seven lords' quarters.

At the door, the butler greeted us and then ushered us along the great hallway toward a room that I had not been in before. There, the butler loudly announced our arrival. Once he stepped aside, Leona and Brenna entered, followed by Aria. Of course, I was last and hiding behind Aria.

"My lords," the three girls said as they curtsied low.

I curtsied as well, still hiding behind Aria. I assumed the lords couldn't see me because Lord Geoffrey asked, "Alfie?"

Aria stepped to the side then, revealing me behind her.

My head downcast and my eyes on the floor, I hesitantly stepped forward to present myself.

Suddenly, in the room was a hushed silence, and I thought, For God's sake, someone say something, because it was damned uncomfortable being the center of attention.

Finally, because I couldn't stand it, I lifted my head.

The moment I did so, I saw seven pairs of eyes on me, followed by a lot of sucking in of breaths.

There they were, the seven lords, right before me, gazing at me as if they had never seen me before. Well, of course they had never seen me like this before, at least not this dolled up anyway.

Knowing how I had been pleasantly surprised to see myself this beautiful—not that I was tooting my own horn or anything—then it must be quite a shocking surprise for the lords, indeed. I supposed it must be something akin to a frog turning into a prince. Or in my case, a princess.

I licked my lips and said, "My lords," as I curtsied once again, my cheeks blushing hot.

"Holy fuck!" was the first thing that came out of Lord Ethan's mouth. "Holy fuck!" he said again, as if he couldn't believe what he saw.

"Holy fuck is right," Felix said, chuckling.

Now standing straight, I said, "Well, this is getting awkward. You all have summoned me here, my lords, so if you're not going to hurry up and interrogate me, I'm leaving."

Suddenly, Lord Geoffrey burst out laughing.

Felix came forward then and took my hands into his. He said, "This is unbelievable."

"What's unbelievable, my lord?" I asked.

He chuckled. "That my little elf is, in fact, a beautiful angel." He cocked his head to one side. "Hmm, I believe you still haven't given me that morning kiss today, darling."

I frowned at him. Seriously, he wanted that morning kiss now? In front of everyone?

Caleb appeared and tapped Felix on the shoulder. He said, "Now is not the time for that."